Three years later: Unsolved Kimberley killing deepens anger ahead of Women’s Shutdown

JUST over three years ago, Kimberley residents woke up to the news that police were investigating another senseless murder in the city.

The headlines are usually alarming, but this murder hit home. For one thing, a woman was brutally and senselessly killed, and for another, this murder occurred on August 18, 2022, right in the middle of Women’s Month.

Chareen Augustine’s body was found at her home in Stamford Street on a Saturday afternoon by a family member. I had known Chareen from before school days, and then we attended the same primary school, and I know her family. So news of her death, and the more graphic details that came to light over time, left one feeling raw.

At the time, the then spokesperson for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Morapedi Sekhoane, stated that Chareen, who worked for the department, was, ironically, an activist.

“It is unfortunate that Augustine herself became a statistic of gruesome gender-based violence (GBV),” said Sekhoane. “To make matters worse, her murder comes at a time when the country and the province are commemorating Women's Month, where issues of GBV and femicide are topping the agenda.

“The department urges law enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned in the search for the perpetrator/s who took the official's life away. We also urge the prosecution to oppose any bail application and ensure that the guilty party is convicted to safeguard against similar occurrences in the future,” Sekhoane added.

At the time, shocked as I was, this commitment gave me hope that her bereaved family would at least find a measure of comfort – when justice was served.

However, three weeks later, the DFA carried another report. In that story, a family friend and colleague, Beverley Samuels, stated that no arrest had been made.

“It is unacceptable, especially since Augustine was a victim of gender-based violence and the incident took place during Women’s Month. It is as if she is just another statistic. She was brutally killed and left to die alone. Her body was only found two days after she was murdered,” Samuels said at the time.

Family left frustrated

She added that the family had handed over information to the police regarding a possible suspect, adding, “The suspect was in a relationship with Augustine and there was a long history of physical violence.”

At that time, there was a glimmer of hope when DNA evidence was sent for testing, although it was said that it could take several months for the results to be made available.

However, now, three years down the line, the family still have no answers. A murderer is still on the loose, and it appears as if the fight against gender-based violence is little more than a captivating concept to weave into speeches.

At least, that’s how the family must be feeling. The DFA spoke to Alistair Augustine, Chareen’s son, who expressed his and the family's frustration.

“What happened three years back still haunts us as children and a family. There have been no answers, and little to no progress. It feels as if the system has failed us,” said Alistair.

“We are questioning what does ‘GBV’ mean to our current government? This happened in the so-called Women’s Month, and they claim to take it so seriously. Well, I think they are a bunch of liars … Do they actually take it seriously? Countless lives lost … but this is the SAPS we are supposed to depend on with hope?

“However, I must say a word of thanks to Detective Jefferys for all his hard work. I wish he were there from the start and not like the previous two that just wasted the time of a grieving family.”

A call from Women for Change 

Recently, an organisation called Women for Change made a call. Under the title: G20 Women’s Shutdown, they made an appeal to all South Africans.

The statement on their website reads: “On Friday, 21 November, South African women will silence the nation.

“We call on all women and members of the LGBTQI+ community across South Africa to refrain from all paid and unpaid work in workplaces, universities, and homes, and to spend no money for the entire day to demonstrate the economic and social impact of their absence.

“Because until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot speak of growth and progress.

“We demand that gender-based violence and femicide be declared a National Disaster. Not tomorrow. Not at another summit. Now.”

What you can do

So how can ordinary South Africans contribute to the success of this campaign? Women for Change suggests a six-pronged approach:

• Don’t work. No paid or unpaid labour.
• Don’t spend money and withdraw from the economy for one day.
• Join the 15-Minute Standstill by lying down for 15 minutes at 12 noon to honour the 15 women murdered every day and bring South Africa to a complete standstill. Check the nationwide meeting points. 
• Wear black to stand in mourning and resistance.
• Change your profile picture to purple to make the Shutdown visible online. 
• Share. Share. Share. Make the Shutdown impossible to ignore. Talk about it, share our posters using #WomenShutdown